Coin changer and coin control device



Feb. 24, 1953 E. R. MAY

com CHANGER AND com CONTROL DEVICE 3'Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 2, 1946INVENTOR.

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Feb. 24, 1953 E. R. MAY

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Feb. 24, 1953 R MAY 2,629,477

COIN CHANGER AND COIN CONTROL DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3fie. 4. @110 INVENTOR. ia/w/w 4. Amy

Patented F eb. 24, 1953 COIN CHANGER AND COIN CONTROL EVICE Edmund R.May, Lincolnwood, 111., assignor to Sam May, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 2, 1946, Serial No. 713,475

5 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in coin changing and coin controldevices and devices of a similar nature.

My invention relates more particularly to the adaptation with coincontrol devices of mechanism for making change automatically.

The general object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of thetype described adapted to be operatively connected to any type ofvending apparatus and designed for the insertion of a coin equal to orin excess of the price of the commodity to be vended which, upon theinsertion of such coin, actuates a vending device to deliver thecommodity and if the value of the inserted coin is more than the priceof the commodity releases the exact change.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coin changingmechanism adaptable for use either with a vending machine whereby acommodity is delivered and change is made or A further object of theinvention is to provide a coin change-making mechanism of the typedescribed that is automatically actuated upon the insertion of a coin todeliver either one or several coins in change, the delivery of more thanone coin being affected by the same mechanism that is employed todeliver only a single coin.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the typedescribed wherein, when a plurality of coins are delivered in change,the time consumed in the operation of the mechanism is the same as whenonly one coin is delivered.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the typedescribed wherein, by reason of the fact that :a single mechanismoperates to deliver either one or more coins in change, there is aresultant minimization of the number of parts required in theconstruction of the mechanism thereby effecting both a saving in timeand material in constructing the mechanism as well :as important spaceeither in the vending machine to which the coin control mechanism isattached or in the size of the complete 2 mechanism where it is used asa change maker exclusively.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the followingdescription wherein reference is had to the accompanying drawings uponwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a unit embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view therethr-ough taken generally on theline 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through themechanism which forms the subject matter of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary View with the parts in a changedposition showing the coin ejector plates moving four coins outwardly asin a change-making operation;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view thereof;

Figs. 7 and 8 are front perspective views of the coin ejector plates;and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of that part of an electric circuit required.

In the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate anddescribe, I have provided a cabinet H! which may have a plurality ofcoin receiving openings [2, M and It, the openings being of such sizethat nickels, dimes or quarters may be inserted in their respectiveopenings. I also provide a lever l8 extending through an opening 29 inthe side of the housing, which lever is adapted to be depressed when acoin is placed into the machine to operate the vending mechanism for thepur pose of delivering a candy bar, bottle of beverage or othercommodity to be vended.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, in the inside of the housing50, I provide a plurality of coin chutes 22 in which the coins descendand pass through a slug rejector 24. The particular construction of thecoin chute and slug rejector is relatively unimportant in thisdescription, since the invention resides in the mechanism previouslymentioned for making change. For this reason no details of the coinchutes or slug rejector are described. Suilice it to say that if thecoins are spurious the slug rejector 24 will pass them outwardly throughthe opening 26 and no further action will take place either in the wayof making change or in operating vending mechanism which may beassociated with the coin changer.

Coins that are not spurious pass downwardly from the slug rejector 24through switches 28,

there being one switch 28 mounted below the slot in the slug rejectorfor the nickel, dime and quarter. Since all of these switches may beidentical and operate the same only one will be described. The switch 28may be of the usual type having a pivoted arm as which lies in the pathof the falling coin, the arm being mounted upon a pin 32 and having anend 34 which normally separates the two contact fingers 36 of a switch38. I provide a weight W secured below the arm 3i; adjacent the pin 32so that after the end of the arm has been swung downwardly by a coinpassing through the switch and has cleared the same, the weight operatesto raise the arm 30 back to normal position with the switch 38 open.

The coins which have passed through any of the three switches 28 fallinto a hopper 40 positioned therebelow, the nickel switch being directlyabove a vertical coin chute 42 in which the nickels fall and becomstacked. The other coins may descend through the chute 44 to a coin boxin the lower end of the housing [8.

Coins which descend in the nickel chute 42 lie in a stack above theejector plate 46, the plate being mounted on a base plate 48 between apair of side frame members 50 and 52 which are spaced between the baseplate 48 and the lower plate portion 54 of the coin chute 42.

The ejector plate 48, as more clearly shown in Fig. '7, may be acomparatively flat plate having a turned down end 56 and a longitudinalslot 58 therein. A pin member 60 rigidly connected to the plate 48extends down and is engaged by the metal core E32 which operates in asolenoid 64. The solenoid 8 1 may be rigidly positioned between a pairof brackets 56 and 88 fastened to the lower side of the base plate 68.

I fasten a pair of pin members in to the turned down end 56 of the plate46 to secure the ends of spring members 12 connected between the pinsmentioned and a pair of pin members 14 positioned on the plate 54. Thesesprings, as will be apparent, normally tend to hold the ejector plate iin the position shown in Fig. 3.

As will be more apparent hereinafter, when a coin is dropped through thedime slot a commodity is vended and a nickel change is ejected. This isdone by reason of the energization of the coil 6 t through the dimeswitch 28 so that the core 82 of the solenoid is drawn into the same. Byreason of the pin 69, the ejector plate is moved backwardly to permit anickel to drop on the top of the second ejector plate 92. When thecurrent is released in the solenoid 64 the spring members 72 pull theejector plate 45 forward, forcing the nickel that is dropped outwardlythrough the slot 32 into a change receptacle 84.

When a quarter has been dropped into the quarter slot a commodity isvended and four nickels are returned to the purchaser. This isaccomplished in the following manner: when the quarter switch 28 istripped, in addition to energizing the solenoid th electromagnet 86 isalso energized causing the pivoted armature 88 to be raised to clear thepin member so mounted on the top of the second ejector plate 92. Thecoiled spring member El i connected between the pin 90 and an armfastened on the base plate 48 pulls the second ejector plat 82 to theleft (see Fig. 3) to the changed position view shown in Fig. 4, thusproviding a space between the lower end of the chute :2 and the baseplate G8 suflicient for four nickels to drop. As the energy is releasedin the solenoid the spring members i2 pull both ejector plates forward,du to the fact that the pin 98 extends upwardly through the slot 58 inthe ejector plate 48. By reason of the fact that the ejector plate 92lies below a plate 45, I have provided a slot 94 in the plate 9?.through which the pin 60 travels when the nickel ejector plate 66 onlyis operating. The ejector plate 82 is provided with the end walls 9! and93 to provide the desired height for the plate, it being obvious thatthe same could be solid, if desired.

Referring now to Fig. 9, wherein I have shown a wiring diagram includingthe elements necessary for the operation of the coin changer, the wiresI66 may be the alternating current power lines. I provide a conduit H12which connects through the vending machine with the conduits I84, E06and I08 that lead to one side of the switch members 38 which areoperated by the switches 28 when a coin is dropped. A conduit i in mayextend from the five cents switch 38 back to the power lines to completethe circuit. Thus, when a nickel is dropped into the vending machine, acircuit will be completed through the five cents switch 38 and thevending machine will be operated to provide the commodity to be vended.

I provide a circuit H2 leading from th ten cents switch 38 through thesolenoid 64 and back to the power lines through conduit H 8 to completea circuit. Thus, when a dime is dropped in the dime slot, a dime switchwill be closed to operate the vending machine and the solenoid 64producing a vended article and a nickel in change.

I provide the conduit H4 extending from the twenty-five cents switch 38to one side of the electromagnet 86. A conduit H6 extends from the otherside of the electromagnet 86 to one side of the solenoid 64. Thus, whena quarter is dropped into the machine, the circuit will be closedthrough the vending machine to produce an article being vended and willenergize the electromagnet 86 and solenoid 64 which are then connectedin series across the power lines, the current flowing from one powerline through conduit H8, solenoid 64, conduit H6, electromagnet 86,conduit H4, the twenty-five cents switch, conduit I04, the vendingmachine, and conduit I02 to the other power line. As previouslymentioned, this will trip the pivoted armature 88 of the electromagnet86 permitting the operation of both ejector plates as previouslydescribed to provide four nickels in change.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of theinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made in the exact details shown and I do notwish to be limited in any particular; rather what I desire to secure andprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a change making apparatus for coin Vending machines, a coinactuated mechanism adapted to receive purchase coins of differentdenominations and comprising a plurality of switches, each of saidswitches being actuated by a coin of a predetermined denominationreceived by said coin actuated mechanism, a magazine for holding acolumn of change coins having a discharge opening at its lower endwithin which a portion of the coin column may descend, an uppermostejector slide reciprocable within said opening having a single cointhickness, a lowermost ejector slide reciprocable within said openinghaving a multiple coin thickness, said single coin slide having thereina slot of predetermined length and said multiple coin slide having anupstanding pin confined for movement within said slot, first springmeans acting upon said uppermost slide for maintaining it in coinejecting and magazine column blocking position and through said slot andpin engagement for also maintaining said lowermost slide in coinejecting position, a solenoid connected to said uppermost slide actingin opposition to said first spring means for shifting said uppermostslide to its non-blocking position whereby to permit a single coin todescend into said discharge opening to be ejected upon deenergizing ofsaid solenoid when said first spring means restores said uppermostslide, said solenoid being connected to an energizing circuit by one ofsaid switches when said one of said switches is actuated by a coin ofone predetermined denomination to shift said uppermost slide tononblocking position, a second spring means of force inferior to that ofsaid nomination received by said coin actuated mechanism for therebypermitting said lowermost slide to be moved by its said second springmeans in one direction and then by said first spring means actingthrough said uppermost slide in the opposite direction to complete areciprocation cycle in unison with said uppermost slide.

2. In a change making apparatus for coin operated vending machines, acoin actuated mechanism adapted to receive coins of differentdenominations and comprising a plurality of switches, each of saidswitches being actuated by a coin of a predetermined denominationreceived by said coin actuated mechanism, a magazine for holding acolumn of change coins, a pair of ejector slides superposed one abovethe other and located beneath said column, an upstanding pin in thelower of said slides extending into a slot in the upper of said slides,spring means for maintaining both of said slides in coin column blockingposition, spring means for urging the lower of said slides into anopposite position, a solenoid connected to the upper of said slidescapable of overpowering said first mentioned spring means for moving theupper of said slides into said opposite position, said solenoidbeingconnected to an energizing circuit by one of said switches when said oneof said switches is actuated by a coin of one predetermineddenomination, an armature for blocking the movement of the lower of saidslides into said opposits position, and an electromagnet for withdrawingsaid armature and for permitting said lower of said slides to be movedwith the upper of said slides, said electromagnet and said solenoidbeing connected to said energizing circuit by another of said switcheswhen said another of said switches is actuated by a coin of anotherpredetermined denomination.

3. In an apparatus for making various change dispensing operations inconjunction with coin vending machines, a coin actuated mechanismadapted to receive coins of different denominations and comprising aplurality of switches, each of said switches being actuated by a coin ofa predetermined denomination received by said coin actuated mechanism, amagazine for holding a column of coins in vertical alignment forgravitational descent, a pair of ejector slides having differentthicknesses of coins to be discharged during change making, one of saidejectors comprising an integral member having a longitudinal slottherein, the other of said slides comprising an integral member havingan upstanding pin to be confined in the slot of said first mentionedslide, spring means for urging said first mentioned slide in coinblocking position, a solenoid connected to said first mentioned slidefor moving said first mentioned slide in opposition to said spring topermit gravitation of change coins from said column, said solenoid beingconnected to an energizing circuit by one of said switches when said oneof said switches is actuated by a coin of one predetermineddenomination, a spring for urging said second mentioned slide into noncoin blocking position when said first mentioned slide is moved by itssolenoid, and electromagnet means for preventing said second mentionedslide from responding to its spring means, said electromagnet means andsaid solenoid being connected to said energizing circuit by another ofsaid switches when said another of said switches is actuated by a coinof another prededetermined denomination.

4. In a change making apparatus for coin operated vending machines, ahopper for holding a vertical column of coins over a discharge channel,a horizontal slide support having a drop off ledge at one end, a pair ofejector slides reciprocable within said support, one of said slideshaving an elongated opening and the other of said slides having aprojection extending through said opening, an armature for blocking saidprojection in one direction, a spring for urging said projection in thedirection in which it is blocked by said armature, a secondary springfor urging the other of said slides in the opposite direction, and asolenoid opposing said secondary spring for urging said other of saidslides into a coin discharge permissive condition.

5. In an apparatus for making various change dispensing operations inconjunction with coin vending machines, a coin actuated mechanismadapted to receive coins of difierent denominations and comprising aplurality of switches, each of said switches being actuated by a coin ofa predetermined denomination received by said coin actuated mechanism; amagazine for holding a column of coins in vertical alignment forgravitational descent, a pair of ejector slides having diiTerentthicknesses of coins to be discharged during change making, said ejectorslides having means engageable with one another for limiting slidablemovement of one ejector slide relative to the other ejector slide,spring means for urging said first mentioned slide in coin blockingposition, a solenoid connected to said first mentioned slide for movingsaid first mentioned slide in opposition to said spring means to permitgravitation of change coins from said column, said solenoid beingconnected to an energizing circuit by one of said switches when said oneof said switches is actuated by a coin of one predetermineddenomination, a spring for urging said second mentioned slide into noncoin blocking position when said first mentioned slide is moved by itssolenoid, and electromagnetic means for preventing said second mentionedslide from responding to its spring, said electromagnetic means and saidsolenoid being connected to said energizing circuit by another of saidswitches when said another of said switches is actuated by Number NameDate a coin of another predetermined denomination. 1,587,902 CrawfordJune 8, 1926 EDMUND R. MAY. 1,916,074 Roskin et a1 June 27, 19331,938,815 Du Gernier Dec. 12, 1933 REFERENCES CITED 3 2,250,051 PatzerJuly 22, 1941 The following references are of record in the 2,271,397McDeTmott 27, 1942 file of this patent: 2, L y Feb. 2, 1 43 2,376,880Mills May 29, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10 1,325,766Thompson Dec. 23, 1919

